RESIDENTS are in uproar after waiting over a year for streetlights to be fixed in Winscombe. People in Fountain Lane and Oakridge Lane have been kept in the dark about when the work will be done and say they have felt unsafe stepping out into the pitch-bl

RESIDENTS are in uproar after waiting over a year for streetlights to be fixed in Winscombe.People in Fountain Lane and Oakridge Lane have been kept in the dark about when the work will be done and say they have felt unsafe stepping out into the pitch-black streets since last March.Winscombe resident Hans Bless of Oakridge Lane wrote to North Somerset Councillor Tony Lake about the problem, who has tried to speed up getting the lights mended.Winscombe and Sandford Parish Council have even paid to have new lamps put up and for a contractor to fix the lights, but delays in installing underground cables is making the local community suffer. Mr Bless said disabled residents living in the area are also reportedly finding it difficult at night to leave their houses and with Sidcot School just around the corner, students could be in danger when they finish lessons in the evening and have to walk home in total darkness.Mr Bless said: "I was told the work would be done by November 7. But all that happened was four vans turned up, argued about who was doing the work and left after an hour. "Since then, nothing has been done. I would not mind if it had taken a couple of months but it's been a year now and our local community is suffering."Cllr Lake said: "It's absolutely outrageous how long it has taken to fix these lights but there is still disagreement about who is responsible for the work. I have tried to help speed things up and say it is not good enough."Cllr Lake has since been told that the lights in Fountain Lane are scheduled to be mended on December 13. Another light in Oakridge Lane has been broken for four weeks.